Electric switch



July 9, 1935. A. G.,voN NORMANN 2,007,911

ELECTRIQ SWITCH /5 /4 /7 2? ze 2s /6 ,4 ,5

IN VEN TOR /f/ffa d 5. /olfA/fmanz? July 9, 1935. A Q VON NORMANN l 2,007,911

ELECTRIC SWITCH INVEN-TOR Alf/ea 6 .VWM/arman@ TTORNE Y Registered July 9, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC SWITCH Alfred G. von Normann, Seattle, Wash., assigner to Trumbull Electric Manufacturing Company, Pacific Division, Seattle, Wash., a corporation of Washington Application March 22, 1933, Serial N0. 662,010-

9 Claims. (Cl. 200-50) My invention relates to an electric switch and the switch being shown in closed circuit position. the general object of my invention is to provide Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same switch as it an electric switch which is simple in construction; might appear if the entire cover were removed reliable, eilicient and safe in operation; not exfrom the cabinet box.

pensive to manufacture; easy to install and serv- Fig. 3 is sectional view similar to Fig. 1 except 5 ice and safe to handle, due to the provision of that the switch is shown in open circuit position. safety features embodied in the construction of Fig. 4 is a detached plan view of a sliding switch the switch and the housing or receptacle for plate forming a part of my invention. said switch. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of said switch plate Another object of the invention is to provide taken substantially on broken line 5-5 of Fig. 4. l0 an electric safety switch having a switch plate Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detached View in elevaslidably positioned between two sets of terminals, tion, with parts shown in section substantially said switch plate comprising a, piece of insulating on broken line 6 6 of Fig. 3, of a switch lever and material having electrically conductive inserts locking mechanism constructed in accordance therein, the inserts being movable into and out with my invention. l5 of electrical contact with the terminals, the in- Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation with parts sulating portion of the plate remaining between shown in section of the mechanism illustrated in the terminals when the switch is in open po- Fig. 6. sition. Figs. 8 and 9 are detached perspective views Another object is to provide an electric switch respectively of two switch terminal clips embod- 20 in which the circuit through a pair of terminals ied in the invention. is always broken at two points or locations in.- Like reference numerals designate like parts stead of at one point when the switch is moved throughout the several views. from closed to open `position thereby reducing Referring to the drawings: I0 designates a arcing and the destructive effects incident thereblock or frame of insulating material which may 25 to. be disposed within a receptacle or switch box II.

Another object is to provide an electric safety lFoot portions I2 on the block I0 may rest upon Switch 0f Very Compact construction, the provia thin insulation plate I3 which is supported on sion of a plate of insulating material between the raised portions I4 in the bottom of the housing terminals making it possible to place these ter- I0. Screws I5 secure the block I0 and insulation 30 minals very close together without danger of plate I3 to the raised portions I4.

short circuiting when the switch is in open po- The block I0 is recessed on its bottom side sition. as at I6 forthe reception of two sets of switch Other objects are to provide an electric safety terminals I`I and I8 between which a slidable switch and cabinet box therefor embodying imswitch plate, designated generally at 20, is opproved means for operating the switch, together eratively disposed. The switch shown in the with improved means which automatically locks drawings is constructed for a three wire circuit, said switch operating means in an open circuit consequently three each of the terminals II and position when the cover of the switch cabinet is I8 are used. Each terminal I'I embodies a U open and which automatically locks said cover shaped portion having a shorter leg resting 40 in a closed position when the switch is electrically against the block and connected by a screw 2I closed, the said safety locking means making it with a fuse bracket 22 and a longer leg projecting necessary to move the switch to open circuit posibeyond the shorter leg and having a contact tion -before the cover of the cabinet box can be member 23 on the end thereof. The terminals I8 opened and further making it impossible to move each have their outer ends positioned on the tcp 45 the switch to closed circuit position while the of the block I 0, thence extend into the recess I6 cover of the cabinet box remains open. through openings in the block I0 and are offset Other and more specific objects of the invendownwardly and terminate in a contact member vtionwill be apparent from the following descrip- 24 which is positioned in spaced relation directly tion taken in connection with the accompanying above and opposite to one of the contact members drawings. 23. Screws 25 secure the' terminals I8 to the In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a lonbase block I0 and at the same time furnish means gitudinal sectional view substantially in a medial by which circuit wire holding clips 26 may be plane, of a safety switch and cabinet box therefor electrically connected with the terminals I 8.

constructed in accordance with my invention, The switch plate 2B, Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5, is pref- 55 erably formed of a flat plate 21 of insulating material having three metal contactors orl switch blades 28, 29 and 39 of the same thickness as the insulating plate 21 inserted in suitable holes in said plate 21, in relatively insulated relation,

the surfaces of the blades 28, 29 and 39 being flush with the surfaces of the plate 21. Holding These holding members 3| overlap the ends of thel blade members 28, 29 and 39 whereby the holding members are clear of the terminals I1 and I8 at all times and whereby a portion of each blade member 28, 29 and 39 is left exposed for contact with said terminals I1 and |8. Relatively flat finger members 33 on the front end of the switch plate 21 are slidably disposed between the contact members 23 Yand 24 and occupy a position between said contact members when the switch is in the open circuit position shown in Fig. 3, thus insuring that the contact members 23 and 24 will always be held apart andA kept relatively insulated when the switch is in open circuit posi'- tion.

At the rear end the insulating plate 21 is provided with two slots 34 for the reception of the lower ends of a forked switch operating lever 35. This lever 35 extends upwardly through a hole 36 in a disc like portion 31 of a bracket member. The disc like portion 31 is supported by an upright portion 38 which is secured to a raised portion 49 on the base |9. Ears 4| extend downwardly from the disc 21 and the operating lever 35 vis pivotally supported from said ears by a pivot 42. A finger piece 43, preferably of insulatingmaterial, is secured to the lever 35 as by screws 44 andv extends above the disc 31. A curved element 45 is formed or otherwise provided on the finger piece 43 or on the' lever 35 just below the disc 31 and extends forwardly and rearwardly from said lever. At the front side of the lever 35 the word on is inscribed on the element 45 and at the rear side of the lever 35 the word off is inscribed on said element 45. When the switch is closed, see Figs. 1 and 2 the word on will be visible through the opening 36 but the word off will not be visible and con-V versely when the switch is closed the word off will be visible. and the word on will not be visible. This makes it possible to tell at a g/lance whether the switch isvopen or closed.

. The fuse clips 22 are connected by fuse members 46 with other fuse clips 41 which may be connected by bus bars 48 and clips 49 with circuit wires 59.

The receptacle I has a cover 5| hinged thereto as by hinge means 52. This cover has an opening 53 in registrationv with the disc 31. The opening 53 is adapted to receive therein the raised central portion of said disc 31 in such a manner that the depressed peripheral portion of the disc 31 extends under the marginal portion of the cover aroundrthe opening 53. In connection with this cover safety means are provided for preventing the opening of the cover when the switch is closed and for preventing the switch being moved from open to closed position when the cover is open. These safety means are in the nature of an L shaped'locking arm 54 slotted as at 55 to iit over a shoulder 39 on the lever 35 whereby the locking arm 54 is pivotally connected with the said extends forwardly from said lever 35 through a slot 51 in the upright bracket member 38. A

notch 56 is provided in the upper edge of the unless downward pressure is exerted on the .locking arm 54. When the cover 5| is closed the locking arm 54 will be engaged and depressed by a foot piece 69 on an angle bracket 6| which is secured to the cover 5|. The downwardly protruding portion of the angle bracket 6+h`as a slot 62 into which the locking arm 54 may enter to thereby lock the cover 5| in the closed position. When the switch is open the locking arm 54 -will be withdrawn clear of the angle bracket 6| as shown in Fig. 7, thus allowing the cover 5| to be opened. When the switch is closed the locking arm 54 will be projected forwardly through the slot 62 in the bracket 6| thus locking the cover 5| in closed position. If the cover 5| is raised while the switch is open the pressure of the foot 69 on the locking arm 54 will be released and the spring wires leading from the source of energy are connected with one set of terminals as the terminals I8 and the load wires leading to the locations where the energy is to be delivered may be connected; with the other set of terminals as terminals I1, whereby when the switch is closed current from the line wires will ow through terminals I8 and I1 thence through the fuse members 46 to'load wires 59.

. In the operation of this switch, when the lever 35 is in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the blade members 28`, 29 and 39 will be between the contact elements 23 and 24 of terminals I1 and I8 and the circuit or circuits will be closed. When the switch lever 35 is in this closed position the locking arm 54 will be projected or extended through the slot 62 and the cover 5| will be locked in a closed position. When the switch lever 35 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 3 the blade members 28,` 29 and 39 will'be withdrawn from contact with the contact-members 23 and 24 and the circuits will be opened. When the lever 35 is thus moved to the open circuit position the locking arm 54 will release the cover. is then opened the locking arm 54 will be permitted to engage the lug 58 and the switch can not again be closed until after the cover has been l closed and the locking lever 54 released from en- If the cover is simple in construction, reliable and eicient in operation, easy to install, not expensive to manufacture and safe to handle.

The foregoing description and accompanying drawings clearly disclose a preferred embodiment of my invention but it will be understood that this disclosure is merely illustrative and that such changes in the invention may be made as are fairly within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a switch of the class described, `a base of insulating material, having a recess therein and having a portion overhanging said recess, two oppositely positioned contact members disposed in said recess under said overhanging portion, a switch plate of insulating material disposed within said recess in said base and positioned substantially parallel to the plane of the base and slidably movable between said two contact members, an insulating plate under said base, and a blade element of electrically conductive'material in the portion oi said switch plate which is movable between said contact members.

2. In a switch of the class described, a base of insulating material, having a recess therein and having a portion overhanging said recess, two oppositely positioned Contact members extending into said recess under said overhanging portion, a switch plate of insulating material disposed within said recess in said base and positioned substantially parallel to the plane of the base and slidably movable between said two contact members, an insulating plate under said base, a blade element of electrically conductive material in the portion of said switch plate which is movable between said Contact members and a switch operating lever connected with said switch plate, said base having an opening at one end of said overhanging portion through which said lever extends.

3. In a switch of the class described, a receptacle, a switch base of insulating material in said receptacle and having a recess formed therein and having a portion overhanging said recess, a terminal positioned in said recess under said overhanging portion and having a contact member thereon, fuse means positioned on the exterior of said overhanging portion opposite said terminal, screw means extending through said overhanging portion electrically connecting said fuse means and said terminal, another terminal secured to said switch block and extending into said recess and havinga contact member thereon positioned directly opposite said first named contact member, a switch plate of insulating material disposed -within said recess in said base and positioned substantially parallel to the plane of the base and slidable between said two contact members, said switch plate having a cut away portion, an 'electrically conductive blade element positioned in said cut away portion of said switch plate in the part which is movable between said contact members and a switch operating lever connected with said switch plate and extending to the exterior of said receptacle.

4. In a switch of the class described, a receptacle, a switch base of insulating material mounted in the bottom portion of said receptacle and having a recess formed therein and having a portion overhanging said recess, a plurality of terminals positioned in said recess under said overhanging portion and each having a contact member thereon, a fuse means positioned on the exterior of said overhanging portion opposite each of said terminals and electrically connected with its respective terminal, a plurality of other terminals secured to the front side of said switch block and extending into said recess and each having a contact member on the end thereof positioned in close proximity to one of said rst named Contact members, a switch plate of insulating material disposed within said recess in said base and positioned substantially parallel to the plane of the base and slidable between said two sets of Contact members, said switch plate having cut away portions, electrically conductive blade elements in said cut away portion of said switch plate and movable into and out of contact with said contact members, and a switch operating lever connected with said switch plate and extending to the exterior of said receptacle said switch base having an opening at one end of said overhanging portion through which said lever extends.

5. In a switch of the class described, a receptacle, a switch base of insulating material mounted in'the bottom portion of said receptacle and having a recess formed therein, a plurality of terminals positioned in said recess and each having a contact member thereon, a plurality of other terminals secured to the `upper side of said switch block and extending into said recess and each having a contact member on the end thereof positioned in close proximity to one of said rst named contact members, a switch plate of insulating material slidable between said two sets oi contact members, said switch plate having cut away portions, electrically conductive blade elements in said cut away portion of said switch plate and movable into and out of contact with saidoontact members, blade holding members positioned on opposite sides of said switch plate overlapping the edges of said blade elements, said holding members being spaced apart and operating between said contact members, a switch operating lever connected with said switch plate and extending to a point outside of said receptacle, a bracket on said switch base, and a pivot for said switch operating lever supported by said bracket.-

6. In a switch of the class described, a recep tacle having a cover hinged thereon for opening and closing movement, said cover having an opening therein, a switch base of insulating material mounted in the lower portion of said receptacle and having a recess formed therein, a plurality of terminals positioned in said recess, each of said terminals having a contact member thereon, a plurality of other terminals secured to said base and each having a contact member positioned adjacent a contact member of said rst mentioned set of terminals, a switch plate of insulating material slidable between said contact members, switch blade inserts of electrically conductive material provided in said switch plate in the paths of contact of said switch plate withsaid Contact members, a bracket secured to said switch base and extending upwardly therefrom'and having a portion positioned within the opening in said cover, a switch operating lever pivoted on said bracket and extending outwardly through said cover and connected with said switch plate, locking means for said lever and means on said cover positioned to engage with said locking means when the cover is i'ully closed and move said locking means into unlocked po-v sition.

7. In a switch of the class described, a receptacle having a cover hinged thereon for opening and closing movement, said cover having an opening therein, switch terminals disposed in said receptacle and aiording spaced apart contact members, a switch plate of insulating material slidable between said contact members and having electrically conductive inserts therein movable into and out of contact with said contact members, a bracket supported in said receptacle, ay disc portion on said bracket positioned in registration with the opening in said cover, a switch operating lever connected with said switch plate and fulcrumed just below said disc and extending upwardly through said disc, a locking mem- -ber connected with said switch operating lever, ,a catch member adapted to be engaged by said locking member when the switch is in open circuit position, means on said cover adapted to release said locking member from said catch member when the cover is closed, and means on the coverv engaged by the locking member when the switch lever is in closed circuit position whereby said cover will be locked closed.

8. In a switch of the class described, a receptacle havingv a cover hinged thereon for opening and closing movement, said cover having an opening therein, aswitch base of insulating material mounted in the lower portion of said receptacle and having a recess formed therein, a plurality of terminals positioned in said recess, each of said terminals having a contact member thereon, a plurality of other terminals, secured to said base and each having a contact member positioned adjacent a contact member of said first mentioned set of terminals, a switchplate of insulating material slidable between said contact members, switch blade inserts of electrically conductive material provided in said switch plate in the path of contact of said switch plate with said contact members, a bracket secured to said switch base and extending upwardly therefrom, a disc portion on said bracket positioned in registration with the opening in said cover, a switch operating lever connected with said switch plate and pivoted on said disc and extending above said cover, a locking member on said switch operating lever, a catch member positioned for engagement by means on said locking member when the switch is in open circuit position, means on said cover adapted to engage said locking member and hold said locking member in released po.- sition relative to said catch when the cover is closed and means on the cover engaged by the locking member when the switch lever is in closed y circuit position whereby said cover will be locked closed.

9. In a switch of the class described, a plurality of electrically separated termin-als, a switch plate embodying a flat piece of insulating material slidable between said terminals and having an opening therein, an insert of electrically conductive material in said opening flush with the surfaces of said piece of insulating material, and holding members positioned on opposite sides of said. plate of insulating 'material and secured thereto and overlapping the edges of said electrically conductive insert whereby said insert is retained in place in said opening.

ALFRED G. VQN NORMANN. 

